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Aspects of seagrass ecology along the western Arabian Gulf coast

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Abstract

Results of semi-quantitative observations and quantitative sampling of seagrasses at coastal and offshore sites along the western Arabian Gulf are presented. Overall seagrass cover (all species together) shows significant positive correlation with latitude, but not with salinity, temperature or depth. The same pattern is shown by Halodule uninervis (Forsk.) Aschers., the dominant species. Mean seagrass biomass ranged from 53–235 g m-2 (dry weight). These values are comparable with biomass estimates from regions in which environmental conditions are generally less extreme than in the Gulf. Seagrass biomass is significantly negatively correlated with depth and sediment grain size. No significant correlation is apparent between seagrass biomass and factors such as season, salinity, or concentrations of nutrients and heavy metals measured. It is pointed out that any correlations observed are not necessarily taken to imply causality.

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Author notes

  1. Andrew R. G. Price

    Present address: Unit of Ecosystems Analysis and Management, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Warwick, CV4 7AL, Coventry, UK

  2. Stephen L. Coles

    Present address: AECOS, 970 N. Kalaheo Avenue, Suite C311, 96734, Kailua, Hawaii, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Tropical Marine Research Unit (TMRU), Tropical Marine Laboratories, Department of Biology, University of York, YO1 5DD, York, UK

    Andrew R. G. Price

  2. Coastal and Marine Programme, World Conservation Union (IUCN), Avenue du Mont-Blanc, CH-1196, Gland, Switzerland

    Andrew R. G. Price

  3. Water Resources and Environment Division, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM RI), 31261, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia

    Stephen L. Coles

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Price, A.R.G., Coles, S.L. Aspects of seagrass ecology along the western Arabian Gulf coast. Hydrobiologia 234, 129–141 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00014245

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